U.S. employees spent 2.8 hours per week dealing with conflict in 2008, as a study conducted by CPP, publishers of the Myers-Briggs Assessment and Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument, suggests. For those who make an average of $17.95 per hour, that means about $359 billion in paid hours, as noted in a Chamber press release.

The workshop is intended to understand workplace conflict and deal with it productively, said JoAnn Cueva, coordinator of the Women's Business Council, which is part of the Greater Danbury Chamber. The event will examine different styles of conflict, how to recognize and deal with them, factors that contribute to difficult situations and why they can be misinterpreted, and how to negotiate.

"Conflict is going to happen, regardless of where you work," Cueva said. "The critical part is how you deal with the conflict. This will focus on how to avert conflict but also knowing the best way to deal with it. There's a lot of different mitigating circumstances that come into play."

The series of workshops held by the Women's Business Council often draws a largely female audience, but both men and women can benefit from some of the topics they cover, which have included setting goals, executive decision making, employee relation skills and communicating for success, Cueva said.

McKee has spent her career working on programs that train people and companies to be more effective.

"The ability to resolve conflict productively is a critical component in demonstrating emotional intelligence," McKee said in a press release. "As organizations continue to ask employees to do more with less, while those same employees are feeling more and more at risk, stress contributes to a potentially toxic and conflict-heavy environment. Small businesses have their own special challenges in this economy, and those who are skilled at resolving conflict without damaging relationships will add value to any business - large or small."

The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Union Savings Bank training center, 126 North Street. The cost is $50 for members, $75 non-members, and includes breakfast. For more information call the chamber at 203-743-5565 or visit http://conflictresolution.eventbrite.com